On wandering and purpose

What is this thing they call age-appropriate? The other morning we went to the local community center and participated in an obstacle course with about 15 or so other toddlers.  This is as much fun as you would expect.  15 kids. One room.  Bless you kindergarten teachers! Milo buys into this chaos for about 15 or so minutes...

 "Why are you making me walk on this...piece. of. wood. NOT. FUN."

"Am I entertaining? Why are you taking a PICTURE? NOT SMILING =NOT FUN."

But he gets restless and overwhelmed so Milo discovers the door and he's outta there!  Of course, I initially wanted to pull him back in -force him to stay in the room -jumping, crawling, balancing, tumbling with the other kids: "THIS IS SO FUN, LOOK MILO...HEY BACK HERE, STAY WITH MAMA!"...but I decided to let him go explore with daddy....because, really, I couldn't blame the kid...

And my little Marco Polo wanders down the hall and discovers...

a room SO BIG SO QUIET with one lone man playing basketball (not pictured)...

WoW! The Wonderment! He just stood there (which is novel in and of itself) and watched a man play basketball.  His eyes followed the ball, dribbling up and down, swoosh through the basket and bouncing around the court -the sound echoing clearly. His eyes scanned the bleachers, looked up to the skylights and scoreboard. I felt like I was witnessing a moment in my little boy...

"Wait a minute daddy, just one more minute..."

Funny when given a room full of age-appropriate (more or less) playthings and friends, Milo wanders into the Gym and seems to be more calm, happy and, dare I say, inspired...Moments like these always make me wonder about foreshadowing...and what we consider "age-appropriate."

I know that just because he dances to adult-alternative music doesn't mean he's going to become a pro modern dancer or an indie musician. Or when he "fist pumps" in the car to Lady Gaga, it doesn't mean he's going to be a conductor of a symphony orchestra. Or a gay club DJ.

I  know just because he prefers an "adult" spoon to a plastic spoon while eatting his cereal doesn't mean he's going to be a Food Network Star.
And just because he was awe-struck by the basketball court doesn't mean he's going to sign a 25 million dollar contract with the NBA and buy mama a waterfront, Mediterranean style home in Tahiti.

But, as a mother, it sure is fun to muse on all the roads my little one can take. Soon enough I'll be looking into his eyes, saying what so many other parents have said to their young ones who are exploring their interests, their lives...finding a talent, a passion...

"You can do whatever you set your mind to."

and truely mean it.

-even if it isn't recognized in a room considered to be full of age appropriate-ness...As many parents have discovered...it's the toys outside the box that are way more fun...

Doesn't this pic say 25 million dollar contract ALL OVER IT?

"wordless" or swiffer the wall Wednesdays

Penguin Plunge or Crazy Bitches

This was my first time witnessing a New Years Day Penguin Plunge. Oh. My. (25 degrees!)Word. Supposedly it's to raise money for a good cause like Autism or Frostbitefluhives.  A friend and I made it out to witness the crazy that is running into freezing water -in this case it's the Chesapeake Bay- going about 1000 yards or maybe it's a mile, I'm bad with distances and measuring in general and then running back and then being all WUUUUUUU!! AHHHHH! coming out of the water all red and RED and then everyone is laughing and shivering and finding their way to the bonfire and maybe a free cup of hot chocolate or cider and then we went home.  The End.

I don't make this stuff up, ya'll. Here's some photos (of course...)

Crazy Bitches. Indeed.

first night, last night 2009 comparative

1/1/09

12/31/09

Still good lookin' after all that year...

The "random" challenge or Things that will make you feel closer to me, like besties

Minivan Lover posted this awhile ago and I'm thinking it would be such magnific fun to participate.  You could probably call it writers block or maybe, enough with the baby photos a break from the cutes.

Insert 7 random things about myself:

1.  Coconut Milk rocks my ass (not in the shitting river kindaway).  I luuurve it!  The other day, for the very first time, I used a whole can, along with chicken broth to make Jasmine rice.  Caramel heaven and fuzzy socks good!!  Though I can't make-a-da-love with things like Coconut Cake or cookies -the actual texture of Coconut is yucka pucka for me-  I have zero issues with coconut milk, drinks, lotions...etc. In fact, I love the smell...reminds me of the beach. p.s. I miss summertime...

2.  I can't do scary movies.  NONONONO.  They get into my head and I have a hard time moving past the scariness.  Good thing the husb also doesn't do scary movies.  I'm a sensitive girl.  I still cry at the end of The Baby Story episodes on TLC when the baby is born.  In fact, I'll cry over a Wal-mart commercial.  Easily.

3.  A few months after giving birth, I developed an ingrown toenail.  It took me awhile to remember to take care of myself.  YES, I showered daily, but things like pedicures, haircuts, or simply reading a magazine (non parenting related!) were forgotten.  I got the toe surgery thing and now my left big toenail is "not like the other."
Everytime I notice this it reminds me to breathe, take inventory, take me-time.  My family needs me to do this as much as I need me to do this.  (cue music)

4. Yes, I still watch birthing stories. I can't  help myself.  (DH: why are ALWAYS watching baby/birth stories?! Me: WHY do you HATE BABIES?)

5.  This one time.  In the Southwest. The BFF and I took a road trip.  (once or twice). We discovered the very cool route 666. SO beautiful!  Just make sure you have enough gas because there are a few sketchy no-name gas stations littered every so miles...And besides which, you don't want to be stranded on the side of the road in the middle of absolutely NOTHING!  Also, keep your windows up.  Bugs that are differently abled can fly right in, caress your face before splatting on the window behind you.  TRUE STORY. We took this road on the way to visit the four corners.  That spot is the furthest west I've ever been.  So, technically, I can say I've been to Utah and Arizona...but not really...

6.  So far, I love being in my 30s. I feel more comfortable in my skin than I did in my 20s.  Though I'm still mantra-ing to death "acceptance, peace, and gratitude" along with "clarity, forgiveness, and breath" I have more consciousness of these things than I ever did in my 20s. I think being married and having a baby helped me be more confident, secure, and SUCCULANT!  And those 3 attributes are necessary to DO EPIC SHIT.

7.  I love the idea of having a garden or even a whole DIY lifestyle.  It's not that I'm afraid of failure, it's more like....laziness, being easily distracted, and, oh yeah, I'd rather be blogging...(hey! that could be a bumper sticker..."I'd rather be blogging"). So I have a total of 3 plants in the house.  And I've had 2 of them since living in CT (surviving 2 moves), and the other one from MA (surviving 3 moves). Not bad, eh? Maybe I could branch out a bit more and have at least a potted garden...new years resolution...?


7 blogs that rockin' roll, in no particular order...(but really ALL the blogs listed on my page rock it!):

1. Minivan Lover
2. The Bloggess
3. Dooce
4. Girls gone Child
5. Lilu
6. Jules
7. 2 kids 3 martinis

If you are interested in doing this yourself here are the "rules":


1. Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.


2. Share 7 random and or weird things about yourself.


3. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.


4. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog


BTW I'm not doing #4.  I'm done with being "productive" today...;)

Snipettes of Christmas

Christmas Eve I tucked in Toddler de Milo all the while telling  him about big surprises for the morning.  I told him about Santa. Sort of.  I'm still on the fence about this one.  So this year I just relayed to Milo that this time of year people tell stories regarding an old man we call "Santa" and how he flies through the air with deer and he has elves to help him and it's all so terrifyingly magical. The End. 

Blink. Blink.

So next year I might need to get my story straight regarding the big guy in red. My thoughts right now are that I don't want to undermine all the hard work and money that goes into gift-giving, decorating, etc by parents, friends, and family.  It's not freaking magic that just -poof- gets done by little fairies. That just this once, it's ok for mama and dada to let in a strange man with candy and gifts.  And I don't want to threaten him with NO PRESENTS when he acts out.  I don't want to LIE (har har)

But then again. Santa is fun. Santa is short lived in our imaginations. I like fun. And I certainly don't want the kid who goes around ruining other kids' holiday.

So we'll see. We'll also see about the tooth fairy...

So the big kids exchanged gifts Christmas Eve after feasting on Chinese food (a new tradition!) and wine (not so new tradition).  Christmas Day morning was all for Milo.   Santa Claus and Grandma did a major sneak attack, taking over the room with gifts and more gifts! Milo finished his breakfast, scooted off the chair and rounded the corner to the living room.  He froze just staring at the clutter, and of a sleeping Uncle Ben on the couch.  I think he was more weirded out by the snoozing Uncle than by all the gifts!  This time last year Milo was a mere 5 months old and there was VERY little under the tree...he was BORN that year...the kid already had enough!  So this year it was cool to see him running around excited and confused at this thing we call Christmas...

My first very loud and obnoxious snowglobe!

Milo inside his new Thomas the Train tent -with matching tunnel!

After brunch, then naps, we went up the road to visit some family...

WHAT a HAM!  See Milo's foot there? Yup...I probably taught him that...

Camera 1 (This may have been a nice photo for this years holiday card.  If I did holiday cards. If I used this pic for next year -would that be wrong? tacky? a year too late? Check out the Christmas socks! BANGIN'!

Camera 2 (Since I lazied out missed the opportunity to do holiday cards this year...maybe I could use this photo for a Valentines Day card? Yes? Gimme your address, I'll totally send ya one!)

Camera 3 (And this could be a card for Easter! People do Easter cards, yeah? I think I'm on to something...)

  Milo lasted about 3 minutes into Christmas dinner until he excused himself to go whine play in the basement.

It isn't a family Christmas dinner without someone running around in their underwear or perhaps a diaper...either one...

Thank you family (extended and immediate) for a wonderful holiday!  The gifts, the food, the laughs! Next year, hopefully everyone will keep their pants on!

untalkative tuesday